Cattle owners in the Hazyview and Bushbuckridge areas must be vigilant over festive season

Cattle owners around the Hazyview and Bushbuckridge areas are urged to be on the alert during the forthcoming festive season and to keep a close watch on their cattle.

During this time of year, many stokvel groups and families will be buying cows for festive celebrations, and criminals will be targeting stray cattle. The police also warn stokvel groups to buy beef from the rightful cattle owners to avoid purchasing stolen meat and ending up being charged for being in possession of stolen property.

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According to Chief Mathupa Mokoena of the Mathibela Traditional Authority, criminals target stray cows, killing them and selling them to stokvel groups that had saved money throughout the year to buy meat. “Some of these members buy this meat without verifying that they are buying from the rightful owner. In most cases, these criminals have one member inside the stockroom who is working with the cattle. This person will inform stokvel members that they know someone who can sell them the meat or a full cow at a cheap price, before stealing the cow from the nearest village and selling it to them,” he said.

Mokoena added that such incidents occur at this time of the year and cattle owners need to be vigilant. “If they don’t, they will lose it and won’t even get a cent back.” He also warned about those who apply for herdsmen jobs. He said prospective employers need to properly check with previous employers to establish the real reason why the employee left in the first place. They must make sure their kraals are secured and locked, or have dogs to warn owners if something suspicious occurs. “When the cows are in the bushes, the cowherd must try to be in a group to avoid being attacked,” Mokoena said.

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Meanwhile, a provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, warned members not to fall prey to buying stolen meat or cattle. He also said if people are found to be in possession of stolen meat, they will be charged and face a jail term or fine.

“People need to make sure that the live cattle or beef they buy has not been stolen, and should not buy it on the street, but only from the owner’s yard. All livestock should have some sort of identification, so that the owner should be able to produce a permit to claim them back,” he said.
Mohlala also called on the public to report any suspicious actions or stock theft to the nearest police station.